Communication With The Dead

Most of us have heard about John Edwards with his program "Crossing Over", Sylvia Brown, and James Van Praugh. Each of these people have claimed that they can communicate with the dead. The new breed of spiritualists-like Edward, James Van Praagh, and Sylvia Browne avoid the physical approach with its risks of exposure and possible criminal charges. Instead they opt for the comparatively safe “mental mediumship” which involves the purported use of psychic ability to obtain messages from the spirit realm.


This is not a new approach, since mediums have long done readings for their credulous clients. In the early days they exhibited the classic form of trance mediumship, as practiced by shamans and oracles, giving spoken spirit messages that ranged all the way from personal (and sometimes strikingly accurate) trivia to hours and long public trance lectures on subjects of the deepest philosophical and religious import.


Some mediums produced “automatic” or “trance” or “spirit” writing, which the entities supposedly dictated to the medium or produced by guiding his or her hand. Such writings could be in flowery language indeed, as in this excerpt from one spirit writing in my collection: In my program, I use two slates which are proven to be blank on both sides. Both slates are tied with a ribbon and a piece of chalk sandwiched in between the two slates. All this is done while the spectator is holding onto the slates. A little bit of acting in calling up the spirits to read the mind of the spectator and I untie the ribbon and written on the slates with chalk is whatever I want revealed about the spectator. Sounds amazing and I would love to tell you how it's done, but it's a secret.


Today’s spiritualism traces its roots to 1848 and the schoolgirl antics of the Fox sisters, Maggie and Katie. They seemed to communicate with the ghost of a murdered peddler by means of mysterious rapping sounds. Four decades later the fox sisters confessed how they had produced the noises by trickery, but meanwhile others discovered they too could be “mediums” (those who supposedly communicate with the dead).


The “spiritualism” craze spread across the United States, Europe, and beyond. In darkened séance rooms, lecture halls, and theaters, various “spirit” phenomena occurred. The Davenport Brothers conjured up spirit entities to play musical instruments while the two mediums were, apparently, securely tied in a special “spirit cabinet.” Unfortunately the Davenports were exposed many times, once by a local printer. He visited their spook show and volunteered as part of an audience committee to help secure the two mediums. He took that opportunity to secretly place some printer’s ink on the neck of a violin, and after the séance one of the duo had his shoulder smeared with the black substance.

Todays newest medium is Theresa Caputo an American television personality best known for portraying herself as a medium on the television show Long Island Medium. Caputo's claim of being a medium has been publicly challenged by multiple sources, ranging from print publications such as Wired Magazineto television news programs like Inside Edition. Caputo has been described by D. J. Grothe as a "charlatan"whose claims James Randi has stated are "not true.

Rebecca Kay Watson is an American blogger and podcast host. She is the founder of the Skepchick blog and also co-hosts The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe podcast. She also previously co-hosted the Little Atoms podcast. Watson founded Skepchick in 2005, describing it as "an organization dedicated to promoting skepticism and critical thinking among women around the world." Originally the site consisted of a forum and a monthly online magazine, Skepchick Magazine, which was launched January 15, 2006. Listen to what she has to say about Theresa Caputo.

Introduction To The Supernatural

The world is fascinated with UFO's, communication with the dead, ghost's and other phenomena that can't be explained.  It is natural for our flesh to long for the supernatural.  We go to magic shows because we want to fooled and see miracles happen right before our eyes and the more we can't figure it out the more real the trick seems. Because of that longing, we are easily deceived and fooled.  When we watch people like John Edwards, Sylvia Brown, James Van Praagh and Theresa Caputo all claiming to talk to the dead, you see something that appears very real especially if you're not trained in cold reading techniques or in the art of deception than you can easily fall into a snare of believing such nonsense. Our gullible minds are mislead with our preconceived notions and than we begin to put satan, demons, and even ourselves on the throne rather than the God who created you and I.  Matthew 24:11 tells us that many false prophets will arise and will mislead many and today we see just that.  Jesus tells us not to be deceived and today we are just as stubborn as ever trying to think that we can tap into the ability to have the same attributes as God. We've seen it from the beginning of time from man wanting to be like God and we see it now.
I have been performing and studying the art of magic since 1981 and was highly involved in astral projection (The art of releasing your spirit from your body).  Not once did it ever work, maybe I didn't have enough faith or tap into the power deep enough, personally, I think not only was I deceived but the whole thing is a joke.  1986 I asked Jesus Christ to come into my life and I started to look at all these false claims from a different perspective.

World Renowned Illusionist 'Andre Kole' has stated, "As magicians we may not be preachers or evangelist, but there is one thing that we know a great deal about and that is the subject of magic."  As a magician I can honestly tell you that any claim to the supernatural or any paranormal activity can't get past trained eyes without spotting the deceptions that are hidden within and without examination and an explanation.

I will be approaching these claims from the point of view of a magician as well as the Word of God.  Because of my belief as a Christian I will not explain away these claims without first shedding light on the subject using Gods Word, the only one who's miracles can't be explained and I will be sharing articles and posts from several magicians who know that their art is not supernatural.

Welcome to "Deception Exposed" as we explore claims of the supernatural performed by magicians, psychics, gurus, and more.

Magic & Illusion "The Controversy"

As a Christian Illusionist, I tend to battle many times with many Christians when it comes to the use of my title "Magician", rather in their opinion I should be called an Illusionist. As true as this may seem, the title that we are billed,should have no conflict. Many Christians are afraid of the word "magic", because of the dark meaning it has and what it represents. God's Word talks about the Wise Men who went to see and present gifts to the Child Jesus. Remember what they were called in the Bible? They were called The Magi, which means more than one magician. They were magicians, astrologers if you will, these men studied the stars. In no way did God ever condemn them for their title magician, but rather He used them for a purpose and God got the glory. They were not called "The Illusionist's", but they were called in the Word of God, "The Magi".  Can you imagine that at Christmas time while reading the story of Jesus' birth we say "and illusionists' from the east came."  It sounds pretty ridiculous.
Daniel, a very well respected and honored man in the eyes of God, was considered the "Chief of Magicians", not the "Chief of Illusionist". I will say this, if Daniel were alive today, he would be my boss, as said in the words of my close friend Christian magician Allen Rasco

Many times we see the word "Magician" or "Magic" in the Bible, such as Simon or Bar Jesus (Elymus). They used the title Magician and they were not condemned for that usage rather they were condemned for what they were using their talent for, not the name, but the use of their art.

In my DVD, I am seen on the front cover wearing black attire, holding 2 torches lit on fire, the title below says Scott Wolf "Magic" Show, there is four cards that are fanned out with fire around them. Now to the Christian eye, this DVD appears to be real evil, depicting satanic worship, the fires of hell, cards which are considered to be the devils prayer book originated from the Tarot deck, and the word "Magic". Trust me folks, I have had some interesting conversations with very well respected and well meaning Christians about this. I can honestly say that the color that I am wearing should have no reflection of who I am in Christ. The torches that I am holding tells the public that this is my signature act, the fire and the cards have two meanings that depict the usage of pyrotechnics which I love to use in my show, I do a couple of "tricks" using cards mostly involving comedy.


The word "Magic" used in my title, well let's face it, I know what the title means and I am not afraid of that word. That word is used so much in various things and in our speech as well. "The Magical World of Disney", "It's The Most Magical Time of the Year", Magic Johnson, Orlando Magic, etc... So what is the problem people?  When I am on stage, I am simply an actor playing the part of a "magician."  

If I need to be corrected then please correct me on what I say in presenting the Gospel and the usage of my theology, not for what I wear, my title, or the graphic art I use on my DVD. If this is what we are worried about people and nit picking at music and TV, and piercings and hair styles rather than paying close attention and helping each other fight the good fight and presenting Christ to people, then we are in trouble.

God will never condemn what we look like, the usage of our title or so on. Rather He is more concerned of how we use what He has given us already.  God has given me this amazing tool of "Magic", "Illusion", Tricks", name it what you will, God is more concerned of how I use my talent in presenting the Gospel to a lost world so that in return God gets all the glory, not me!

I love God with all my heart, and I will always use my talent to present an amazing message, and that is the message of love, not condemnation, but of hope and purpose. I have always made it very clear in my presentations that everything you see me do is simply just a trick. In no way do I possess any supernatural powers and in no way am I in league with demons.  Andre Kole states "That any eight year old child can do the things that we do as magicians...
with fifteen years of practice of course."

I entered this responsibility, knowing that it will have some controversy, but so will presenting the Gospel.